We met Polish-born ballet dancer turned swimwear designer Marysia Dobrzanska Reeves lounging by the pool with her family at the beautiful Florblanca resort in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica. Of course, she and her two daughters were sporting Marysia Swim swimsuits as they frolicked in the sunshine, looking every bit the picture-perfect family. Marysia launched the brand (which she now runs with husband, Nathaniel) back in 2009 and the – now iconic – scallop-cut swimwear can be spotted on beach-loving glamazons worldwide.As well as being a professionally trained ballet dancer, Marysia was also a physical therapist before deciding to enrol at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in LA. Her love of both ballet and surfing inspired her to create chic, feminine swimwear which was simultaneously flattering and comfortable. Free from restrictive cuts and stiff underwire, Marysia swimwear is made to be moved in – we’d live in ours if we could. With her favourite Swamis rash vest and classic scallop-edged bikini in her bag, she’s good to go surfing at her favourite Barbados beach at the drop of a (sun) hat, while the introduction of dresses and coverups to the range means that it’s easier than ever to go from sand and sea to seafood dinner and sunset.Marysia has spent much of her life in either a leotard or wetsuit, so she really knows what works when it comes to being both pretty and practical – her swimwear is, above all, wearable. The brand is based on expertly hand-cut silhouettes, timeless colours and premium fabrics to help everyone feel bikini beautiful (though we think you should do anyway). Celebrities including Rachel Bilson and Lupita Nyong’o count themselves as among Marysia’ growing army of fans – we suggest you don’t hang about either, because an effortless poolside look is always in fashion.
Name
Marysia Dobrzanska Reeves
Occupation
Designer/entrepreneur
Current hometown
Venice Beach, LA
Heart’s hometown
Radom, Poland
Why did you start designing swimsuits?
I wanted to do fashion, and swimwear is what I know best… Plus, there was a definite gap in the market.
Give us three words that incapsulate what you’re trying to create with your swimwear line
Chic, flattering, feminine.
What is the most important inspiration for your designs?
Fashion
What can a woman do to feel more confident in a swimsuit?
Work out and eat well – it’s obvious, but true.
What’s your weakest trait?
Not managing to balance all aspects of my life, it’s a constant juggling act!
Your biggest success?
Living a dream.
What’s your average day like?
Crazy trying to do it all! I drop the kids at school, cram in a workout and grab a juice for fuel then head to the office and work all day. I then pick up the kids and take them to play sports, then it’s dinnertime – thank goodness my husband is the chef, although I wish I had time to do that part too. Then I squeeze in some more work before winding down with a bath and watching something with my husband. Then it’s to bed, ready to start the day again in the morning…
Name your five favourite places to wear a bikini
Miami, Barbados, Hawaii, Costa Rica, Tulum
What’s the best thing about a bikini and what’s the worst thing about a bikini?
Best thing is you get a nice tan (though make sure you wear sunscreen!); the worst is watching what you eat and doing crunches.
What is your favourite surf destination?
Barbados
What’s the best thing to wear while you’re surfing?
My ‘Mott’ bikini or a rash vest.
Marysia’s LA Favourites…
To eat
Kreation Kafe & Juicery
Kreation is a favourite healthy spot… We eat there at least twice. It has the most amazing strawberry yoghurt made from almond milk, chia seeds and raw honey.
Suberba Food + Bread
Superba is great for a weekend breakfast – the cheesy eggs are so yummy!
To do
First Point Malibu
We love this place for beach excursions and Cafe Habana nearby makes my favourite salad – there’s also a J.Crew right next to it!
YAS Yoga
It’s been our absolute favourite yoga haunt for twelve years now.
